American Red Cross volunteers recall Hurricane Sandy's impact

The anniversary of Hurricane Sandy’s landfall in the Northeastern United States prompted recognition of Amarillo-area American Red Cross volunteers who traveled to the disaster zone after the storm last year to aid in disaster relief.

The Texas Panhandle Chapter, based in Amarillo, and Eastern Texas Panhandle Chapter, based in Pampa, sent a total of 16 volunteers to New York and New Jersey in the wake of Sandy, according to information from Steve Pair, executive director of both chapters.

Sandy came ashore Oct. 29, 2012, sending floodwaters pouring across the densely populated barrier islands of Long Island and the Jersey shore. In New York, the storm surge hit nearly 14 feet, swamping the city’s subway and commuter rail tunnels and knocking out power to the southern third of Manhattan, according to The Associated Press.

The storm was blamed for at least 182 deaths in the U.S. — including 68 in New York and 71 in New Jersey — and property damage estimated at $65 billion, AP reports said.

Volunteer Raenell Gore of Amarillo spent the most time, 60 days, in the disaster zone, according to a Red Cross spreadsheet. Others spent at least 11 days or more.